September 30, 1999 14:09:41 CST
Sam Jethroe: Seven Stellar Seasons With The Buckeyes
A sterling performance in 1950 earned him the National League Rookie Of The Year award.
NLB Dot Com
Staff
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Sam Jethroe |
Sam Jethroe joined the Cleveland Buckeyes as a 20-year-old rookie in 1942. His extraordinary hitting prowess earned him four appearances in the East-West All-Star Classic in only six years with the Buckeyes. In 1946 he hit for an incredible league-leading .393 average and compiled a .342 lifetime average in the Negro Leagues.
Jethroe’s performance with the Buckeyes did not escape the attention of the scouts in the newly integrated major leagues. In 1949 Jethroe signed with the Boston Braves organization and was assigned to the club’s International League affiliate where he stole an incredible 89 bases. Earning a quick promotion to the major league squad, Jethroe turned in a phenomenal rookie season with the Braves in 1950, hitting .273 (including 18 round-trippers), scoring 100 runs and stealing 35 bases. This performance earned him National League Rookie Of The Year honors.
After a sophomore season that continued his major league success, Jethroe suffered a problem with his vision that sent him back to the minor leagues. With the exception of appearances in two games with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1954 Jethroe never again played in the major leagues. He continued his career for several seasons in the International League, but his performances were never again on par with those of his days with the Buckeyes and Braves.
Bio In Brief
Born: January 20, 1922
Birthplace: E. St. Louis, IL
Teams: Indianapolis Clowns, Cincinnati Buckeyes, Cleveland Buckeyes. Jethroe also played major league baseball with the Boston Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates and earned National League Rookie of the Year honors in 1950.
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